Genndy Tartakovsky Says Samurai Jack Movie Is Number 1 On His List

Fans of Cartoon Network’s Samurai Jack have been clamoring for film based on the TV show for ages, and now that creator Genndy Tartakovsky has inked a long-term deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment, there’s been some renewed talk on the subject.

IGN spoke with the cartoon creator while he was out promoting his new film Hotel Transylvania at the Toronto International Film Festival and his words have to be considered encouraging:

“I’ve been trying so hard every year, and the one amazing thing about Jack is that I did it in 2001, you know, and it still survived. There’s something about it that’s connected with people. And I want it, it’s number 1 on my list, and now Bob Osher, the President (of Digital Production at Sony Picture Entertainment), is like ‘Hey, let’s talk about Jack. Let’s see what we can do.’  And I go, ‘You’re going to do a 2D feature animated movie?’ and he’s like, ‘Yeah. Maybe. Let’s do some research and let’s see.’ So it’s not dead for sure by any means, and it’s still on the top of my list, and I’m trying as hard as I can.”

It sounds like getting Samurai Jack done is a matter of clearing hurdles with Sony, and if Osher is interested, that’s a good sign. A 2D animated feature is a rarity these days, and one that has limited appeal (young boys and people who were young boys in 2001) will probably be a tough sell to those who write the checks.

It will definitely help if Tartakovsky can score some big bucks when Hotel Transylvania opens later this month though. While it’s uncomfortable to advocate spending money on an Adam Sandler-led animated flick, if you’re a true Samurai Jack fan, you might want to consider throwing the film $10.

Samurai Jack tells the story of a samurai warrior transported to a distant time who must defeat the demon Aku and his evil minions in order to return home. The series ended in 2004 without any sort of conclusion and ever since, fans have been hoping for a film.

Tartakovsky said the loss of voice actor Mako (who played Aku) would also need to be addressed, but that’s a good problem to have.

Meanwhile, Hotel Transylvania opens September 28th, 2012.